Henry JohnsonGolf is a sport that tests a player’s mental and physical abilities. While stroke play is the most common format used in golf competitions, it can become monotonous after a while. Fortunately, several fun golf games are worth exploring besides the by-the-book stroke play. Discovering these formats can reinvigorate your love for the game.
Scramble
One exciting alternative is the “Golf Scramble”—a game about teamwork and camaraderie. Anyone who isn’t a regular on the links and has more holes in their game than a piece of Swiss cheese benefits the most from this format.
Imagine this: your foursome swings into action, each player contributes their best shots, and your group’s combined talent is in the spotlight. Miss a putt? No sweat, your buddy’s got your back.
This format gives players with prodigious power-hitting capabilities but weak around the green a chance to be a star while relying on others for a good score.
Bingo Bango Bongo
This golf format may sound like it’s a club in a Scorsese flick, but it is certainly worth your attention. “Bingo Bango Bongo” is unique because it rewards players for individual achievements on each hole rather than the total score.
The rules are simple. The first player to get their ball on the green gets a point (Bingo). The player whose ball is closest to the pin once all balls are on the green gets a point (Bango). Finally, the player who putts their ball into the hole first gets a point (Bongo).
This setup makes for healthy rivalry and ensures everyone is on their toes the whole time. Bingo Bango Bongo is a fun and strategic golf game that will entertain you and your pals for hours.
Skins
Skins is a format where the phrase “skin in the game” comes to life. Every hole’s a new opportunity to bag the big bucks. Skins keeps the stakes high and the suspense intact—one great shot could win you the hole and the cash.
It’s not enough to get the lowest score; you must also win each hole. Each swing becomes more exciting, and each putt becomes more dramatic when real money is on the line. When playing Skins, golf becomes a high-stakes, hole-by-hole competition. However, if gambling and high stakes aren’t your bag, it’s best to steer clear of this format.
Vegas
Another game that sounds like it has a gambling element is more exciting because of the massive turn of events that can occur within the blink of an eye.
The “Vegas” golf format is a high-adrenaline, team-based game that combines luck and skill. In this format, two-player teams combine their scores for each hole, but with a twist: the lower score goes first, creating a unique composite score. For example, if one player scores 4 and the other 5, their team score is 45. The thrill of Vegas lies in its unpredictability and the potential for big swings on the leaderboard, keeping every player engaged and eager till the very end.
Besides stroke play, these fun golf games worth exploring prove that it doesn’t have to be a slog every time on the course. Mixing up formats, particularly with groups of varying skills, can make the day more enjoyable. And if you come home with heavier pockets from a few rounds, it’s even more rewarding!
